Like many of its best customers, Alpharetta-based infant products maker Kids II is experiencing a growth spurt.
In a struggling economy, the privately held, historically low-profile manufacturer of Bright Starts and Baby Einstein brand gear and toys -- including bouncers, play yards and swings -- expects 20 percent to 25 percent growth in each of the next two years.
Annual revenues are pushing toward $300 million (double what they were five years ago), and employment has reached 200 in Atlanta, inspiring a move next year into new, larger offices in Buckhead for its team of product researchers, engineers, designers, other staff and executives.
The company's international presence has continued to grow, too, with operations on five continents and distribution in 65 countries.
CEO/President Ryan Gunnigle said Kids II has been "in the zone" in recent years, with a long-term strategic plan, implemented during the past decade, paying off.
"We're capturing a lot of market share," said Gunnigle, 43, who took over the business from his father Tom and now owns it 100 percent.
Founded 41 years ago in California, the company was bought by Tom Gunnigle and moved to Atlanta soon after that.
When Ryan Gunnigle took over, he made changes to the business, relying less on contract manufacturing, reducing the number of brands and selling all products globally.
The company maintained its licensing relationship with Disney for lines including Baby Einstein. That brand now accounts for 20 percent of its business.
Kids II's own Bright Starts brand, launched 17 years ago but re-launched and promoted heavily only in the past five years, now makes up 75 percent of sales.
The company also expanded overseas -- relying on its logistics infrastructure -- added to its product line and reinvested heavily in product innovation, Gunnigle said.
The relatively recent growth and the positive near-term prospects have prompted Kids II to increase its marketing efforts.
Gunnigle isn't forecasting Kids II soon will surpass the biggest name players in the infant products business, such as Graco and Fisher Price. But he said the company isn't setting limits, and it is planning next year to enter the toddler toy market, an expansion that will allow it to grow along with its customers who've used its products since infancy.
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